Composting: the most basic way to give back to the land
November 5, 2019
In recent years, composting has become increasingly popular in Quebec. Once perceived as a bit of a “hippie” phenomenon performed on the fringe of society, compost has become a well engrained habit encouraged and promoted on a daily basis in most Quebec municipalities. Apart from being beneficial for your garden, organic materials converted into compost are very ecological. Did you know that more than 50% of residential waste can be composted? If you haven’t started composting yet, all the more reason to start now! Using your brown bin is a simple and effective way to keep organic materials from ending up in a landfill.
What is compost?
Compost is a natural and biological process by which organic matter is transformed. In a nutshell, the process consists of returning it to the land to dispose of it in an ecological way, with the possibility of reusing it later on to fertilize your vegetable garden and flower beds. By balancing dry or carbonaceous materials (dead leaves and plants, dried flowers, etc.) with wet or nitrogenous materials (peelings, fruit and vegetable residues, etc.), you can create a high-quality compost that will produce very little or no smell. Varying the layers of organic matter in your bin is simply a matter of habit.
Household compost
Composting at home requires a bit more organization, but this natural practice has always been accessible. First off, if you have a very large lot, you can set up your compost pile in a more recessed area so that it isn’t an eyesore. While this technique isn’t the most aesthetic, it works very well in wooded areas. You can also choose to use a household compost bin. More attractive and better suited to smaller spaces, this type of bin will allow you to compost even on a balcony in the city. They are available in many big box stores, although DIY enthusiasts may wish to consult a few websites to build their own. In both cases, the key is to turn the compost well and air it out! If you want to start your own household compost, the Recyc-Québec site provides basic information about proper autonomous management of your organic materials, including a short checklist you can post in the kitchen as a reminder.
Municipal organic waste collection
Finally, the easiest way to help promote collective composting is undoubtedly to use the brown bin provided by your municipality. Nothing could be easier. Simply fill it by alternating your wet and dry materials as much as possible, then put it by the curb for the weekly collection.
A simple tip: You can wrap your food scraps in newspaper to make small balls. If you are reluctant to compost and have enough space to do so, you can always keep your kitchen bin or a brown paper bag directly in the refrigerator or even in the freezer. Odours, small insects and other inconveniences will no longer be a problem, especially in summer. However, don’t forget to take the bin or bag out at each collection and rinse it once in a while. It’s also essential to check with your municipality to keep abreast of what’s can be placed in your bin since the materials accepted may vary from one city to another. As a guide, you can download the “Ça va où?” application; it will tell you how to dispose of different materials in your city and region.
Moreover, many municipalities hold an annual return to the land – and the community – event. In the spring, it isn’t rare for a compost donation or sale day to be held. This is a great way for municipalities to give back to their residents and officially launch the vegetable garden season.
Ultimately, keep in mind that the best way to reduce food waste is to consume food before composting it. Groupe Tomapure offers you fresh, high-quality produce every season. Eat it, cook it or make it into a soup when it is less fresh, and then, when the time comes, put the leftovers in your compost to return the fertile nutrients to the soil. At Tomapure, recovering organic materials from our cut vegetables is an integral part of our process. Our commitment to the composting recovery practice allows us to reduce the company’s waste to over 82.5%.
Composting is a solution that helps reduce your ecological footprint.
